Locking system and method for a temperature-controlled container

A locking system for a temperature-controlled container, the container comprising an interior and a barrier having an open position allowing access to the interior of the container and a closed position blocking access to the interior of the container, the locking system comprising:

• a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature within the interior of the container:
• a locking device configured to be coupled to the barrier to lock the barrier in the closed position;
• and
• a controller in communication with the locking device and the temperature sensor, the controller configured to receive the sensed temperature from the temperature sensor and control the locking device based on the sensed temperature;
• and
• a computing device located remotely from the container,
• wherein the controller is configured to control the locking device to lock the barrier in the closed position when the sensed temperature rises above a predetermined threshold temperature,
• wherein after the controller controls the locking device to lock the barrier in the closed position, the controller is configured to unlock the locking device if the sensed temperature drops below the predetermined threshold temperature within a predetermined period of time,
• wherein after the controller controls the locking device to lock the barrier in the closed position, the controller is configured to prevent unlocking of the locking device based on temperature if the sensed temperature remains above the predetermined threshold temperature for the predetermined period of time, and
• wherein the controller is configured to communicate an alert to the computing device when the sensed temperature rises above the predetermined threshold temperature, and when the sensed temperature remains above the predetermined threshold temperature for the predetermined period of time.

A locking method for a temperature-controlled container, the container comprising an interior and a barrier having an open position allowing access to the interior of the container and a closed position blocking access to the interior of the container, the locking method comprising:

• sensing a temperature within the interior of the container;
• locking the barrier in the closed position with a locking device when the sensed temperature rises above a predetermined threshold temperature;
• and
• transmitting an alert to a computing device located remotely from the container when the sensed temperature rises above the predetermined threshold temperature.

A locking method for a temperature-controlled container, the container comprising an interior and a barrier having an open position allowing access to the interior of the container and a closed position blocking access to the interior of the container, the locking method comprising:

• sensing a temperature within the interior of the container;
• locking the barrier in the closed position with a locking device when the sensed temperature rises above a predetermined threshold temperature;
• after locking the barrier in the closed position, unlocking the locking device if the sensed temperature drops below the predetermined threshold temperature within a predetermined period of time;
• after locking the barrier in the closed position, preventing unlocking of the locking device based on temperature if the sensed temperature remains above the predetermined threshold temperature for the predetermined period of time;
• and
• communicating an alert to a computing device located remotely from the container when the sensed temperature rises above the predetermined threshold temperature, and when the sensed temperature remains above the predetermined threshold temperature for the predetermined period of time.